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HELPful Answers to your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a residential, faith-based discipleship program that utilizes a relational lifestyle methodology to help students become the kind of persons that do not need to or want to abuse drugs or alcohol. We mentor our students for a relational lifestyle with God, others, themselves, and the world that offers them success in overcoming their addictions and achieving purposeful, productive lives.

Primarily, if not exclusively, we changed the name to resolve the confusion between the word “teen” and operationally being an adult center for ages 18 and up.  A sufficient number of people today are not familiar with David Wilkerson and the national association he founded based on his work with NYC gangs.  In fact, Teen Challenge USA recently rebranded to “Adult and Teen Challenge USA”.  At times, the confusion has even led to the perception that our organization is presenting the deceptive implication that we are serving youth.  This happens regularly in the court system, in fundraising and most importantly the refusal of a potential intake saying they are not going to a place called “Teen…”!

Be assured, we will maintain continuity with the roots of where we came from and who we are.  We are continuing to remain affiliated with and accredited by Adult and Teen Challenge USA.  And we are creating a fresh look to enhance our operational identity.

To be clear.  We are not launching a new ministry, but simply a new look.  Same walk with a new set of clothes.  Ever true to our roots.

Yes. As we are rebranding, we are continuing to remain affiliated with and accredited by Adult and Teen Challenge USA and are maintaining continuity with the roots of where we came from and who we are.

First and foremost, no one is ever denied admission solely for financial reasons. 
We won’t make that a barrier to your recovery and neither should you.

There is a one time, non-refundable, $350 intake fee that is due on the day you enter the program. The assessed fee per student is $900 per month thereafter. Any unpaid student fees at the time of departure will be left to a mutually agreed payback schedule.

Please note that Program Fees amount to less than 5% of our total operating budget. We are a privately funded non-profit and the deficit is covered through the generosity of businesses, churches, foundations and individuals. 

No. Cincinnati Challenge Ranch is a residential program with students living on campus. Students are engaged in the program throughout the entire day, leaving them no time to maintain a job outside the program.  Graduates, may enter our advanced live in and work Re-entry phase, which assists students with transportation and placement opportunities.

No. Students are not forced to stay in CCRanch against their will. We are not a jail and our staff are not guards. 
Therefore trust is essential to successfully residing within our community.

We serve people from the ages of 18 and up.

The program is divided into multiple phases. The first phase takes a minimum of approximately 90 days. Upon successful completion of the first phase, the student must apply and be accepted into the second phase. This next phase is again a minimum of approximately 90 days. Both phases must be successfully completed in order for the student to be considered a full phase CCRanch Graduate.

Unfortunately no; you can look forward to enjoying your pet while on pass.

While in the program, students may only have contact (visitation, phone calls, letters, passes) with those people who are on their “Approved Contact List”.

Everyone on this list must meet two criteria:

1) No one on the Approved Contact List may be a current drug or alcohol abuser.

2) Everyone on the list must be a positive influence on the the student seeking to deal with his or her addiction and supportive of their decision to pursue faith-based recovery

For those who are on the Approved Contact List, visitation is scheduled every Saturday from 2:00 P.M.—5:00 P.M. and every Sunday from 1:30 P.M.—4:30 P.M. Visitors may come on one or both days as they choose.

Yes. You may write as often as you wish and receive mail from anyone on your Approved Contact List.

You may bring your cell phone to CCRanch; however, it will be kept for you in the dormitory office until approved phone time which occurs every Monday and Thursday evenings from 9:00 P.M.— 9:30 P.M.  Including Saturdays from 2:00P.M — 5:00 P.M.  Following phone time, all cell phones must be returned to the dorm office for safe-keeping. Additional phone time may be granted on special occasions by permission from staff.

Yes. When students complete the Introduction period and move into Phase One (normally one month into the program) they are given a day pass to be used on a weekend of their choice once a month with anyone on their approved
contact list.

Students are given a week pass between completion of Phase One and the beginning of Phase Two.   
Normally three and a half months into the program.

Beginning Phase Two, they are given an additional overnight pass to be used on a weekend of their choice with anyone on their approved contact list. At this point, students have both one day and one overnight pass each month. The purpose of this pass is to help students assess how they are progressing in their recovery.  

Passes do not have to be taken.

When students reach the Commitment period of Phase Two (normally five months into the program) they are given another overnight pass to be used on a weekend of their choice with anyone on their approved contact list. At this point, students have one day and two overnight passes each month.

Yes. Those students who do not have a high school diploma and do not have a GED will engage and complete the process to achieve a GED. Students in this situation cannot graduate from CCRanch until they earn their GED.

No. But we do have a working berry farm and about 130 acres to take care of at the Men’s Ranch.  
The Women’s Home is on 3.5 acres.

No. However, since we are a Christian community,  students should have an open mind and not hostile  regarding matters of faith. Our approach is non-demoninational.

No. However, students may have nicotine patches the first 90 days of the program to help them ween off of tobacco.

Yes. We will assist you with communication to your probation officer, lawyer and the court system.

Students get up at 6:30 A.M. Monday—Friday. Breakfast is at 7:00 A.M. Work Therapy begins at 8:00 A.M. and continues through approximately 11:30 A.M.  Work Therapy is usually carried out on the CCRanch campus. It is part of the program and not a “job” for which the students are paid or earn money toward their monthly fee. It is an excellent opportunity to tutor the relational lifestyle approach.

Lunch is at 12:00 P.M. Following lunch, the afternoons are spent in course work which has three components:

1) Class time, in which students, under the supervision of a teacher, study and work through various topics such as how to overcome temptation, how to manage thoughts and emotions, how to develop positive, healthy relationships with God, others, self, and the world, and how to make good choices.

2) Group studies,

3) One-on-one mentoring. Some combination of these three elements are going on throughout the afternoon up until 4:30 P.M.

Dinner is at 5:30 P.M.. Following dinner, evening time is taken up with either another class, more work therapy, study or just open time for the students. Lights out are at 10:00 P.M.

Students get up at 6:30 A.M. Monday—Friday.

Breakfast is at 7:00 A.M.

Education time begins at 8:00 A.M. and continues through noon.

    • Education Personal Studies: consists of reading and reviewing books with topics including renewing the mind,         growing emotionally, and finding hope all with a Biblical worldview
    • Education Group Studies: structured class time with the supervision of a teacher, work through various topics           such as how to manage thoughts and emotions, how to develop a positive healthy relationship with God, others,       self and the world; and how to make good life choices.

12:30-1:30 personal time – Students can write letters, take a nap, work on a hobby, take a walk around the campus and relax.

The afternoon includes exercising, work therapy, personal education and guest speakers.

Dinner is served 5:00 P.M.

Depending on the day of the week, evenings include guest speakers, serving the community, additional study hours and mentoring.

10:00 pm lights out

Throughout the entire day, one-on-one mentoring is available for each student.